The ANC Free State Interim Provincial Working Committee (IPWC) says it will soon be be reconstituting branches that are in disarray across the province as it sets out to strengthen and rebuild the party.
A statement issued by ANC provincial spokesperson Oupa Khoabane on Tuesday says the decision follows consultations with party president Cyril Ramaphosa and chairperson Gwede Mantashe who were recently in the province to assess the progress made on work to renew and unite the structures of the organisation in the Free State.
“On the basis of the reflections made about the level of strength and functionality of . . . branches in the province, the IPWC decided to reconstitute the branches that have shown to be weak and in disarray,” read part of the statement.
The IPWC however did not indicate how many branches were affected or what could have caused the state of disarray.
“This process shall be undertaken immediately in order to enable the branches to position themselves appropriately to lead communities in challenges facing them,” added Khoabane in the statement.
He said the process is meant to empower branches to be in a position to ensure communities receive adequate services and fight social ills.
According to Khoabane, the IPWC was concerned about the ill-discipline displayed by some members while conducting party work.
The IPWC implored the organisation to institute tough measures against them “in order to restore order and political discipline”.
“This (includes) those who conducted themselves in an unbecoming way during the election (period) by surreptitiously working against the ANC, including contesting against the ANC,” he explained.
The provincial spokesperson said the IPWC was concerned about the continued pressure by Mangaung councillors to have a vote of no confidence against mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana, saying the motions did not contribute towards service delivery.
“The people are facing challenges of service delivery and unemployment,” said Khoabane.
“Such motions have no intention of improving services but more to destabilise the functionality of institutions.
“Such motions dampen efforts to turn around the appalling conditions communities are subjected to.
“The ANC appeals to councillors to focus their energies on improving services.”
The ANC in the Free State is yet to announce when it will hold its provincial conference in preparation for the national elective conference set for December.
The ANC Free State provincial executive was dissolved last year after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) nullified the party’s provincial conference held in May 2018 and declared it unlawful and unconstitutional.
The ruling rendered all decisions/resolutions and/or the outcome of the conference unlawful and unconstitutional.
The matter was brought to the SCA by three disgruntled ANC members, Matshepo Ramakatsa, Themba Mvandaba and Shashapa Joshua Motaung.
The trio wanted the appeal court to declare that the ANC provincial conference which took place on 18 and 19 May, 2018 was held in violation of a High Court order dated November 29, 2017.
The High Court had made an order that the provincial conference should not be held until certain Branch General Meetings had been held in a lawful manner that accords with the constitution of the ANC. – Staff Reporter